Vol. 455 No. 8
184 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the application of St Nicholas's Monastery National School, Philip Street, Dundalk, for inclusion under the early start programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12588/95]
I am aware that the school in question has applied for inclusion in the Early Start Pre-school Programme. The Early Start Pre-school Programme is currently focused on schools that have been included in the disadvantaged areas scheme. The programme has recently been extended by the inclusion of a further 32 schools. This brings the total number of schools covered by this service to 40.
The school referred to by the Deputy is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme. However, I regret that it was not possible to include it in the Early Start Programme for the current school year. The programme will continue to focus on schools in the disadvantaged areas scheme and the needs of all schools in that scheme, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of any further expansion of this programme.
